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Sumit SinghalSumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination.

The New city of El-Menia in Constantine, Algeria by Lemay Architect

After a global competition, the joint venture Formed by exp, Canadian Multidisciplinary firm of consultants, and lemay, one of the Most Important integrated design services Firms in Canada, HAS made history in Quebec by winning an international industry Launched by the competition agency management and regulation of urban land in Wilaya de Constantine Algeria. This competition Aimed at the realization of a major project in the city of Constantine, Algeria, of Approximately $ 2.4 billion ($ 2.4B), Including $ 1.57 billion ($ 1.57B) Devoted to the residential sector.

After the contest, the Algerian Government Officials Confirmed Awarding of this contract to the Canadian team made up of the joint venture of firms and lemay exp. The urban concept, created by the team exp and lemay, was Chosen unanimously by the jury. Their winning proposal Stood out for icts excellence icts relevance, icts originality and Its audacity; icts Competitors consisted of international FIRMS from Europe, Asia, America and Africa. Partner Creation and director of lemay’s urban design studio, Michel Lauzon, Described how the future area of El-Minya will be a multifunctional urban agglomeration autonomous and was 47-hectare tray Directly in front of the heritage city of Constantine, the third-most major city in Algeria, and the future cultural capital of the Arab world in 2015, located some 431 km east of Algiers.

Image Courtesy Lemay

He added que les proposal, “Once upon a time in El-Minya,” stands out for icts single visual sign That Will be visible on the walls and pathways in the old city, a gem of the World Heritage. Bonsant Donald, associate urban senior planner and director of exp’s design, urban planning and sustainable development department in Quebec Explained, for his hand, that ‘this prized mandate Involves the schedule and development of a new neighborhood, and fits Within a World Heritage distinctive overall development plan. The design mandate Granted to the joint venture includes design of main buildings and typologies as well as public spaces and traffic networks.

Image Courtesy Lemay

Cultural Approach Design and Developed sustainable development principles selon, the main intention of the concept proposal is two-fold: create a rich and diversified living environment and mark the territory with an urban configuration That lives up to the mythical status of the 3000-year old city of Constantine. Inspired by the traditional Maghrebian courtyard, at the center of the medinas and Arab towns of North Africa, the concept Reflects the cultural characteristics of the landscapes and a clear hierarchy Integrates Between private and public spaces and Between openness and privacy. In this proposal prized, this appears medina is selon reinterpreted the new realities of contemporary urban life based on the peculiar topography of the sector.

Image Courtesy Lemay

Using the mountains and the dramatic landscape, the design benefits from major elevations, Which create zones of variable density with fluid and iconic green wedges meandering through. Consequently, even though the city was to Achieve Planned optimal density Avoiding urban sprawl and automobile dependency, large green spaces and autonomous Were Planned to supporting biodiversity As the sinuous lines of Arabic calligraphy and arabesques, El-Minya urban Fig proposed a symbolic relationship entre le individual and his territory. The iconic silhouette of the new neighborhood will extend over year area of 1.2 million m² as a stamp on the region, at the image of the ancient and legendary cities.

Image Courtesy Lemay

Modernity and heritage

Although the concept is inspired by the history and types of Algeria, the AIMS proposal to house more than 20.000 residents, as well as various offices, shops, schools and recreation centers for a growing population of workers, visitors and tourists. The project of 6.500 to 7.500 housing units will be Adapted to a contemporary lifestyle goal in continuity with local traditions. In this perspective, the Proposed strategies will consolidate the citizens’ lifestyles and advanced technologies in terms of design, construction, and, of course, sustainable development.

Image Courtesy Lemay

In this regard, all service areas are located a short walking distance from residential areas and year of efficient and low-cost cableway system was to Facilitate Planned Throughout The city commute.Were Spaces Design to Promote urban agriculture inside the city to Reduce the dependence Towards imported food, to allow food self-sufficiency and supporting the local industry.

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Optimized green spaces, a road network Reduce, infrastructure fighting heat islands, use of solar energy as well as studies on the use of wind turbine, photovoltaic cells and geothermic system integrated into aussi Were the program. In other words, El-Minya is a icts ecological model city in planning, based on leading best practices in sustainable development, all in the heart of an urban lifestyle.

Image Courtesy Lemay

This project, Which Will Be Carried out with exp and lemay’s signature expertise will meet the population’s needs perfectly, in the establishment of the new neighborhood of El-Minya, a place That Is Set to Become a richly diversified living environment for the people of Constantine . With its audacious and pragmatic strategies, the city of El-Minya can be Perceived as a systemic organism with a functional, technical, regulatory, economic, social and symbolic composition. As a result of multiple forces thesis, our new year present city Integrating different ecosystem variables while taking into account the refine art of living and friendly so distinctive character of the Algerian culture.